Control switch arrangement for an upright vacuum cleaner

ABSTRACT

A control switch arrangement for controlling the operation of an upright vacuum cleaner during on-the-floor and off-the-floor cleaning. An elongated handle is pivotally connected to the body of the cleaner, and a power switch is mounted in the grip of the handle for controlling the operation of the fan drive motor. The power switch has an actuating lever which projects through an opening in the grip and which serves to close the power switch when a user grasps the grip. A combination motor speed control and bypass switch is also mounted on the handle in circuit with the fan drive motor. The speed control switch permits the fan to run at two different speeds when the cleaner is set up for onthe-floor cleaning, and at a speed suited for off-the-floor cleaning when the cleaner is set up for this mode of operation. When the speed control switch is in its off-the-floor cleaning position, the power switch is bypassed.

United States Patent 91 Brooks et al.

[ CONTROL SWITCH ARRANGEMENT FOR AN UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER [76]Inventors: Joseph F. Brooks; Harold W. Schaefer, both of c/o EurekaWilliams Company, Bloomington, Ill. 61701 [22] Filed: Dec. 30, 1971 [21]Appl. No.: 214,301

[52] US. Cl 200/157, 15/324, 15/339 [51] Int. Cl. Hlh 9/06, HOlh 21/10[58] Field of Search 200/157, 61.85;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,639,456 5/1953 Smith200/157 X Primary Examiner.lohn Petrakes Assistant Examiner-C. K. MooreAttorney-Albert W. Bicknell et al.

[ Oct. E6, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A control switch arrangement forcontrolling the operation of an upright vacuum cleaner during on-thefloor and off-the-floor cleaning. An elongated handle is pivotallyconnected to the body of the cleaner, and a power switch is mounted inthe grip of the handle for controlling the operation of the fan drivemotor. The power switch has an actuating lever which projects through anopening in the grip and which serves to close the power switch when auser grasps the grip. A combination motor speed control and bypassswitch is also mounted on the handle in circuit with the fan drivemotor. The speed control switch permits the fan to run at two differentspeeds when the cleaner is set up for on-the-floor cleaning, and at aspeed suited for off-the-floor cleaning when the cleaner is set up forthis mode of operation. When the speed control switch is in itsoff-the-floor cleaning position, the power switch is bypassed.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 42' I Q 54 a 4 4' r 3 1V Y 45 4a 53 34 4+ 7530 I 1 CONTROL SWITCH ARRANGEMENT FOR AN UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER Thisinvention relates to vacuum cleaners, and more particularly relates to acontrol switch arrangement for controlling the operation of the fandrive motor of an upright vacuum cleaner during on-the-floor andoffthe-floor cleaning.

Various types of switch arrangements have been heretofore advanced forcontrolling the operation and speed of the fan drive motor of an uprightvacuum cleaner to suit different operating conditions. Some of thesearrangements have utilized a power switch in the grip of the handle ofthe cleaner for controlling the operation of the fan drive motor of thecleaner, and a separate speed control switch for controlling the speedof the motor. An example of such a switch arrangement is disclosed inthe Naul U.S. Pat. No. 1,766,929. The motor speed control switch of theNaul arrangement, however, does not bypass the power switch so that thecleaner will cease to operate any time a user releases the grip of theoperating handle. The Allen U.S. Pat. No. 1,932,126 discloses a similararrangement.

Another switch arrangement heretofore advanced utilized a power switchmounted on the base of the cleaner and actuated in accordance with theposition of the handle thereof. A second switch was mounted on thehandle of the cleaner, and would bypass the power switch when shifted toan appropriate position for maintaining continuous operation of the fandrive motor. Such arrangement is disclosed in the Sellers U.S. Pat. No.2,534,479. The Sellers switch arrangement, however, is dependent uponthe position of the handle of the cleaner for its operation, which issometimes disadvantageous.

A more recently advanced switch arrangement for an upright cleaner,utilizes a power switch mounted on the housing of the cleaner andactuated in accordance with the position of the handle of the cleaner. Amotor speed control switch, actuated by a wheel positioning levermounted on the base of the cleaner, bypasses the power switch when thewheel positioning level is shifted to a position to set up the cleanerfor off-thefloor cleaning. Such arrangement is disclosed in the I-IaybaU.S. Pat. No. 3,217,351. The Hayba arrangement, however, does notprovide for more than one speed of operation of the fan drive motor whenthe cleaner is set up for on-the-floor cleaning, and the position of thehandle of the cleaner is a control element in this arrangement. Eitherone or both of the latter aspects of operation of the I-Iayba switcharrangement is sometimes disadvantageous.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the invention to provide a novelcontrol switch arrangement for controlling the operation of an uprightvacuum cleaner, which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages of theprior art.

Another object is to provide a novel control switch arrangement for anupright vacuum cleaner having a power switch for controlling theoperation of the fan drive motor of the cleaner and a separate speedcontrol switch for controlling the speed of the fan drive motor duringon-the-floor and off-the-floor cleaning, wherein the speed controlswitch provides at least two different speeds of operation of the fandrive motor for on-thefloor cleaning.

A further object is to provide a novel control switch arrangement for anupright vacuum cleaner of the foregoing character, wherein the powerswitch is bypassed by the speed control switch when the cleaner is setto operate in an offlthe-floor cleaning mode.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description and accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upright cleaner incorporating acontrol switch arrangement embodying the features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the upper end portion of the handle of thecleaner illustrated in FIG. 1, with portions of the handle broken awayto show some of the electrical connections and wiring therein;

FIG. 2a is a semi-diagrammatic view of a portion of the electricalcircuit utilized in the cleaner illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the combination motor speed control andbypass switch of the invention.

In FIG. 1, an upright vacuum cleaner embodying the features of thepresent invention is illustrated and indicated generally at 10. Thecleaner 10 is conventional to the extent that it includes a housing 1 1having wheels (not shown) on the underside thereof to facilitatemovement of the housing over a horizontal surface to be cleaned, such asa rug or carpet. The inlet (also not shown) of a suction nozzle is alsolocated on the underside of the housing, and receives dirt and othermaterial dislodged from the surface being cleaned. Such dirt is drawnthrough the nozzle and discharged into a replaceable filter enclosed ina porous bag 12 at the rear end of the housing 11.

A fan (not shown) having its inlet connected to the suction nozzle, ismounted in the housing 11 and driven by an electric motor. Such motor isillustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 2a and indicated at 15. When drivenby the motor 15, the fan generates suction at the inlet of the suctionnozzle and also serves to rotate a brushroll (not shown) mounted in thesuction nozzle inlet.

An elongated handle 16 is pivotally connected at its lower end to therear of the housing 11, and a grip 17 is provided at the upper end ofthe handle to facilitate manipulation of the cleaner over a horizontalsurface to be cleaned. Electrical power is supplied to the electricmotor 15 through an electrical cord 18. When not in use, the electricalcord 18 may be stored on a drum (not shown) that is rotatably carried ina housing 19 mounted on the lower front portion of the handle 16.

According to the present invention, the cleaner 10 includes a novelcontrol switch arrangement for controlling the operation of the motor15, and consequently the fan of the cleaner, during on-the-floor andoff-the-floor cleaning. Such control switch arrangement includes a poweror on-off switch 30 (FIGS. 1 and 2) mounted in the grip 17 of the handle16, and a combination motor speed control and bypass switch 31 mountedon the handle 11 somewhat below the switch 30.

The power switch 30 has at least one pair of internal contacts, whichare opened and closed by an operating lever 32 that is pivotallyconnected to one end of the switch housing. The lever 32 projectsthrough an opening 33 in the underside of the grip 17 so that thecontacts of the switch 30 are closed when the lever 32 is moved inwardlyby a users fingers when the grip 17 is grasped.

The combination motor speed control and bypass switch 31, in the presentinstance, is of the three position, rocker type, and includes a manuallyshiftable rocker 36. The switch 31 is connected to the electricalcircuit of the cleaner so as to provide two different speeds ofoperation of the motor 15 when the cleaner is set up for on-the-floorcleaning, and one speed of operation of the motor when the cleaner isoperating in an off-the-floor cleaning mode. The manner in which theswitches 30 and 31 control the operation of the cleaner 10 in each ofthe aforementioned modes will be described in connection with thefollowing description of the electrical circuit of the cleaner.

Referring now to FIG. 2a in conjunction with FIG. 2, the electricalcircuit of the cleaner includes a conventional, double-prong plug 38 ofthe type that is adapted to be plugged into a standard 125 V.A.C.outlet. The prongs of the plug 38 are respectively connected to a pairof conductors or wires 42 and 43 in the cord 18. As shown in FIGS. 2 and2a, the conductor 42 is connected to a terminal 44 on the switch 31, andanother conductor 46 connects the terminal 44 to one, indicated at 47,of the two terminals of the power switch 30. One end of anotherconductor 48 is connected to the other, indicated at 49, of theterminals of the switch 30, and the opposite end of the conductor 48 isconnected to another terminal 52 of the switch 31.

When the rocker 36 of the switch 31 is in its full line positionillustrated in FIG. 2, at least one pair of contacts therein are closedand establish a connection between the terminal 52 and another terminal53 of the switch 31. Thus, the switch 31 permits current to flow fromthe terminal 52 through the switch to the terminal 53 and thence througha conductor 54 that is connected at one end to the terminal 53. Theopposite end of the conductor 54 is connected to a wire 57 which, inturn, is connected to a portion of the windings of the field coils,indicated at 56a and 56b, of the motor 15. The field coils 56a and 56bare interconnected through the armature of the motor by wires 58 and 59,and a respective pair of brushes 60 and 61. A wire 63 connects one endof the windings of the field coil 56b with the supply conductor 43.

A headlamp 70 is physically positioned at the top portion of the housing11 and is electrically disposed in a parallel branch circuit with themotor 15. Such branch circuit is provided by a pair of wires 66 and 67which are respectively connected at one end to the lamp 70 and at theiropposite ends to the wires 57 and 63.

With the foregoing connection and with the rocker 36 of the switch 31 inits full line or III position illustrated in FIG. 3, the motor 15 of thecleaner will operate at high speed and the lamp 70 in the base thereofwill be illuminated.

When the rocker 36 of the switch 31 is depressed to its LO positionillustrated in broken lines and indicated at 36a in FIG. 2, a pair ofcontacts in the switch are closed which establish a connection betweenthe terminal 52 and another terminal 68 thereof. Consequently, currentfrom the supply conductor 42 may flow to the terminal 44, and thencethrough the conductor 46 to the switch 30. After passing through theswitch 30, the current flows through the conductor 48 to the terminal 52of the switch 31. The current then flows through the internal contactsin the switch 31 to the terminal 68 thereof and thence into a conductor72, which is connected at one end to the terminal 68. The conductor 72extends through the handle 16 and is connected to the end of thewindings of the field coil 56a so that the field coils 56a and 56bgenerate their maximum flux density. The motor 15 will thus operate atreduced speed and the lamp 70 is illuminated.

If a user of the cleaner 10 should release her grasp on the grip 17 atany time while the cleaner is in operation and the rocker 36 of theswitch 31 is in either its I-II" position or its LO position, indicatedat 36 and 36a in FIG. 2, respectively, no current will flow througheither of the conductors 54 or 72. Consequently, the motor 15 will stopand the light 70 will go out. The cleaner 10 may, of course, be againrendered operative by a user, merely by grasping the grip 17 so as toclose the switch 30.

When it is desired to convert the cleaner 10 for offthe-floor cleaning,an adapter (not shown) is engaged with the housing 11. Such adapterrenders the inlet on the underside of the housing 11 ineffective andpermits an associated suction hose and a selected one of a set ofcleaning tools (not shown) to receive all of the vacuum generated by thefan.

Either prior to or after the adapter has been engaged with the housing11, the rocker 36 of the switch 31 is moved to its ATT positionillustrated in broken lines and indicated at 36b in FIG. 2. When therocker 36 is so positioned, the contacts in the switch 31 establish aconnection between the terminals 44 and 53 thereof. Thus, the powerswitch 30 is bypassed and current enters the motor 15 through the tap 57of the field coil 56a. Consequently, the motor 15 operates at highspeed. Since the power switch 30 is bypassed at this time, the cleaner10 will operate even though the contacts of the power switch are open.In addition, the headlamp 70 will be illuminated since the motor circuitis energized.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the control switcharrangement and electrical circuit utilized in the vacuum cleaner l0permits a user to select either one of two different speeds of operationof the suction generating fan of the cleaner for on-the-floor cleaning.In addition, continued operation of the cleaner in this mode ismaintained only so long as a user maintains her grasp on the grip 17. Ifthe grip 17 should be released for any reason, the power switch 30 opensand the flow of current to the fan motor 15 and headlamp 70 isinterrupted. The heretofore described control switch arrangement andelectrical circuit also permits the motor 15 of the cleaner 10 tooperate at high speed when the cleaner is set to operate in anoff-the-floor cleaning mode. When the cleaner is operating in the lattermode, the power switch 30 in the handle grip 17 is bypassed by the speedcontrol switch 31. Consequently, the user does not have to maintain hergrasp on the grip 17. It will further be apparent from the foregoingdescription that the operation of the motor 15 is completely independentof the angular position of the handle 16 with respect to the housing 11.

While only one embodiment of the invention has been herein illustratedand described, it will be understood that modifications and variationsthereof may be effected without departing from the scope of theinvention as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A control switch arrangement for controlling the operation of anelectric motor which drives the suction generating fan of an uprightvacuum cleaner when said cleaner is functioning in either anon-the-floor or offthe-floor cleaning mode, said cleaner including ahousing having a suction inlet communicating with said fan and anelectrical circuit for supplying current to said motor, said housingalso having a handle pivotally connected thereto and a grip at the upperend of said handle to facilitate movement of said housing over a surfaceto be cleaned, said control switch arrangement comprising a manuallyactuated power switch adapted to be connected to said electrical circuitand adapted to be mounted in the grip of said handle so as to be closedby a users hand when said handle grip is grasped, and a manuallyactuated combination motor speed control and bypass switch adapted to beconnected to said electrical circuit for coaction with said powerswitch, said combination switch having a first position adapted to causesaid motor to operate at a speed suited for on-the-floor cleaning whensaid power switch is closed, said combination switch also having asecond position adapted to cause said motor to operate at a speed suitedfor off-the-floor cleaning, and said combination switch being operableto bypass said power switch when in said second position, whereby theflow of current to said motor is interrupted whenever the grip on saidhandle is released by a user and said combination switch is in saidfirst position but is maintained regardless of the position of saidpower switch when said combination switch is in said second position.

2. The control switch arrangement of claim 1, further characterized inthat said combination switch has a third position for operating saidmotor at another speed suited for on-the-floor cleaning when said powerswitch is closed.

3. The control switch arrangement of claim 2, further characterized inthat said housing includes an electric light for illuminating an area tobe cleaned, and said combination switch is adpated to cause said lamp tobe illuminated only when said power switch is closed and saidcombination switch is in either said first or said third position, saidcombination switch also being adapted to cause said lamp to beilluminated regardless of the position of said power switch when saidcombination switch is in said second position.

1. A control switch arrangement for controlling the operation of anelectric motor which drives the suction generating fan of an uprightvacuum cleaner when said cleaner is functioning in either anon-the-floor or off-the-floor cleaning mode, said cleaner including ahousing having a suction inlet communicating with said fan and anelectrical circuit for supplying current to said motor, said housingalso having a handle pivotally connected thereto and a grip at the upperend of said handle to facilitate movement of said housing over a surfaceto be cleaned, said control switch arrangement comprising a manuallyactuated power switch adapted to be connected to said electrical circuitand adapted to be mounted in the grip of said handle so as to be closedby a user''s hand when said handle grip is grasped, and A manuallyactuated combination motor speed control and bypass switch adapted to beconnected to said electrical circuit for coaction with said powerswitch, said combination switch having a first position adapted to causesaid motor to operate at a speed suited for on-the-floor cleaning whensaid power switch is closed, said combination switch also having asecond position adapted to cause said motor to operate at a speed suitedfor offthe-floor cleaning, and said combination switch being operable tobypass said power switch when in said second position, whereby the flowof current to said motor is interrupted whenever the grip on said handleis released by a user and said combination switch is in said firstposition but is maintained regardless of the position of said powerswitch when said combination switch is in said second position.
 2. Thecontrol switch arrangement of claim 1, further characterized in thatsaid combination switch has a third position for operating said motor atanother speed suited for on-the-floor cleaning when said power switch isclosed.
 3. The control switch arrangement of claim 2, furthercharacterized in that said housing includes an electric light forilluminating an area to be cleaned, and said combination switch isadapted to cause said lamp to be illuminated only when said power switchis closed and said combination switch is in either said first or saidthird position, said combination switch also being adapted to cause saidlamp to be illuminated regardless of the position of said power switchwhen said combination switch is in said second position.